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Veronica grabs her holy symbol and reaches out with her right hand toward Andreas. "Andreas, a half-step! I just need to reach you!"
She touches him while whispering for Erastil's help, and suddenly Andreas feels renewed vitality flowing through his limbs.
Veronica glances to the side and makes a sharp whistle. "Moondancer! Guard Rillka!"
Moondancer springs up, then whines again, then moves next to Rillka and whines as she watches for any of the lizardfolk to come too close.
Seeing an opening, Veronica races past the fog cloud and the lizardfolk hiding in it to come up behind the warriors and cast a healing spell on Albert. "I'm moving up to help! Hang on!"
I am sorry I was confused. I read that the rest of the party was up, so I assumed that was us again. Sorry Hold on to those rolls, though!
Expecting some incoming attacks any minute now, Veronica casts a shield of faith.
The tight quarters make it impossible for Veronica to get to Albert and Saorise without having to run past several of the lizard warriors, so she opts for a quick sidestep (5' step) and then casts bless (standard action) to further augment the group's attacks, in hopes that they can drop one of the lizardfolk and create an opening that she can use to get to the front. She lets out a sharp whistle in Moondancer's direction. (move action) The wolf whines and runs over to heel.
Party Buffs:
It's ok, I will probably switch back to spells after this round. Looks like Purple takes the hit, and I shoot through Blue's square with no penalty because I can ignore one target of soft cover thanks to a trait.
Slight hiccup with Vinni laying down fog cloud which will cut off line of sight for Veronica's very nice bow crit. Would you line to move and redirect that shot to another enemy? I was worried about this. I won't be able to target stuff due to this LOS-breaker. Since there is no grid on the map, I am not sure where I can go to try to find a valid target.
Still here, hope everyone else is all right!
Veronica takes the risk of firing a snap shot at the harem leader who cast the snowball , while Moondancer whines with her tail between her legs and hides behind Veronica.
Noting that this is likely to be a tough spot, Veronica unleashes a prayer spell.
Veronica says, "Why wave us away? That's odd. Maybe they want to talk somewhere else that's safer. Or maybe they're trying to wave us into an ambush. Either way, maybe we should hold up for a moment."
"This place is already haunted with malevolent manifestations. There is no sense in making it worse," says Veronica. "My arrows barely did anything to the last wisp, rocks are probably a less-than-ideal weapon. We need to stay focused on our goal of fighting them instead of each other."
"Sounds like we should get inside of the ruins of the keep or tower on this island."
Vinni: Note that storm burst is a spell-like ability, meaning that it's subject to spell resistance, which means that wisps are immune to it. Sorry. :(
Veronica reacts with a quick snap-shot at the bobbing ball of light. Being up in the air like that means she doesn't have to worry about it being in the middle of a melee scrum with her allies.
Surprisingly, she hits!
"I have something, when you all feel ready," says Veronica vaguely. "Just say the word when you think everyone is in position."
Wisps have spell immunity to anything that allows spell resistance except magic missile and maze. Invisibility purge works because I'm the target and the field that emanates from me is not subject to SR; glitterdust works because, as a conjuration spell, it is not subject to SR.
Note that (and we would know this due to the knowledge roll) wisps are immune to faerie fire.
Of note to the team: I prepared invisibility purge, which according to various FAQs/discussions is effective against wisps, but I only have one, and I strongly suspect we'll be fighting more than one of these.
"Moondancer! Heel!" says Veronica, trying to keep the poor scared wolf safe, but Moondancer decides not to heed her. Figuring that this won't be the last wisp that the team fights, she touches Albert with a free hand, invigorating him with a touch of good.
Veronica squats down and does her best to pick some nettles out of Moondancer's fur. The poor wolf seems thoroughly demoralized. Is this how wolves were domesticated by people, by giving them anxiety? She scritches the wolf's ears to at least give her some comfort. "This place is haunted, or cursed, or both," she says. "How do we approach? Sneak in? Walk in and try diplomacy with the lizardfolk?"
"Oh, yeah, stinging nettle," Veronica notes as she dries off again. "Don't let that touch your skin. Heck, even if we hack through it, it'll get on your clothes, and we'll have to wash everything. Can't burn it or the smoke will choke you. Fun stuff."
Veronica isn't sure what's going on because she headed out hoping to find Rillka, but she's underwater looking for the halfling while Vinni is hauling her back out. Eventually she surfaces, splutters, and realizes that Rillka's been brought back to shore. She paddles back over and gets out, takes a moment to catch her breath and blow some water out of her throat and nose, and then squeezes her hair once more. She checks in on her small friend. "Rillka, that must've been awful. I'm so glad you're safe. Next time we'll make sure that someone stays with you, just in case. Or we'll figure out a way to make a small raft or float."
Veronica is squeezing out her hair when she realizes that Rillka hasn't surfaced. She wastes no time in racing back to the water for her small new friend. "Hey! Rillka didn't make it out!" she shouts as she wades back into the water and heads toward the boat, diving underwater to look for the halfling somewhere between the boat and the shore. Moondancer paces on the shore, whining.
Veronica seems a little tired in the morning, though after she washes her face and says her prayers to Erastil she seems fine. She watches the placid water over the side of the boat and gazes out at the unfamiliar land passing by as the paddleboat makes its slow way down the river. Moondancer whines and paces a bit, then flops down at Veronica's feet for the trip. When the boat finally arrives, after Arven weighs anchor, Veronica unhesitatingly jumps into the water, then gestures for Moondancer to come in after her. The two dog-paddle to shore, climb out, and then simultaneously shake themselves dry(-ish).
Veronica takes a knee and offers a hand to Arven. "Greetings, we haven't met yet. My name's Veronica. Pleased to make your acquaintance, and of course I'll be glad to help with whatever you need, like Rillka said."
"So... is there a local bargeman or -woman we can hire? Getting to that island and rescuing the clutch isn't something that could easily be done just by swimming," suggests Veronica. "While I can swim, I don't really know anything about handling a boat."
"You said exactly what I was thinking, Rillka," says Veronica. "Sadly I don't know much about this region. This is the first time I've seen a map of it!" She points to the island to the southwest. "That island—am I reading this right, there's a tower or castle or ruin there? Seems a likely choice, if so."
Moondancer is only too happy to jump, play, and bark. Which means Rillka now has a large wolf splashing mud all over the place and trying to run up and bowl the halfling over into said mud. Veronica chuckles and says, "Well, there are downsides. Like when she thinks I'm hiding treats in my bag. Or when she decides that she wants the blanket. Or when she thinks I won't notice if she takes just one of my arrows and uses it as a chewing toy." Veronica pats Moondancer affectionately while Rillka deploys scritches and says, "But she's still the bestest girl in the world!"
Moondancer happily accepts the halfling's hug, then bends down, stretching her front paws out and letting her tongue loll out in a smile. Then she bonks her head against Rillka, taking care not to push too hard. Veronica says, "She understands simple Taldane. A small, child-like vocabulary, but she can understand simple questions and even count a bit."
Veronica watches warily, always keeping Moondancer under control. The wolf seems simultaneously cautious and excited. As the team crosses the mud and the village, Veronica examines the decorations of the lizardfolks' huts, admiring their simple crafts and arts. A rustic community... surely the kind of place that could have Erastil's favor. "Well, this is good. They can be friends and neighbors, perhaps even trade partners," she opines. "I suppose I should try to learn their language."
"I suppose I'll meet the parents soon enough," quips Veronica.
Veronica keeps a hand on Moondancer's neck and says, "Hello children!" She glances over to Rillka and says, "I don't speak what I presume is their language, but aren't they cute?"
"They seem friendly."
Thanks for the update! I'll prep invisibility purge. Since its range is personal and target: You, it should just... generate a field that purges invisibility without worrying about SR or spell immunities, in theory? The FAQ seems to support that it does work on wisps.
Just so we plan in advance, is Vinni going to do the communal resist energy, or me?
Rillka will replace Snowball with Comprehend Language so this time we can understand the lizard folk.she readies her gear, and checks in with Veronica to be sure she has everything she needs for the next day. Veronica is glad to see Rillka before the trip. "How far away are these lizardfolk?" she asks. "I need to know how much food to bring. Are they usually friendly, hostile, or suspicious? Do we traditionally bring them a gift when visiting? Any taboos, things to definitely not bring?" The questions come out in a long torrent, then she puts a hand over her mouth. "Sorry, got carried away. I just want to make sure that I don't accidentally do something that causes a problem."
Roger that, if something comes up I will PM you. Building a kingdom without that package is really hard mode. You have to claw your way up with no BP and just hope and pray that you don't get a major bad event that destroys the kingdom on a random roll.
The default KM setup assumes that you receive a charter from the Swordlords on behalf of Regent Surtova. The actual text of the charter appears on p. 6 of Rivers Run Red: "Be it so known that the bearers of this charter, having delivered the northern reaches of the Greenbelt from the scourge of banditry, having provided detailed maps of the lay of the land, and having done no small amount of work in the exploration of said land and the culling of hostile monsters and indigenous hazards, are hereby granted the right to rule. The nature and laws of rule are theirs to define, and the wellbeing of this new nation is theirs to protect. In accordance for providing a stable nation to the south of central Rostland, let there be a generous stipend of funds, support, and advice provided to this fledgling nation as a token of Restov and Brevoy’s goodwill, such that future relations between kingdoms might be mutually beneficial. So witnessed under the watchful eye of the Lordship of Restov and by the authority granted by Lord Noleski Surtova, current Regent of the Dragonscale Throne." (I do not know if this group is running differently.)
Veronica and Moondancer have mostly been learning the town and getting to know people. Moondancer is friendly and inquisitive, but also skittish, and tends to get into trouble if Veronica isn't around. The wolf seems somewhere between a wild wolf and a domesticated dog. Physically, she's big, and could probably eat a child, yet she is affectionate and playful with people, as long as they aren't throwing rocks at her. When Grigori earns his exile, Veronica is about to offer to escort him to the edge of the territory, but then she remembers that the group is planning to head out soon to deal with a monster problem, and she probably needs to be ready to go at a moment's notice.
"Hydra hunt, then?"
That's painful! Good luck with the repairs!
He looks to Albert with understanding etched on his face. "I agree that the destruction of the creature could bring a sense of calm to Tig, and it is something we will tend to next. We go in prepared for combat against that thing. This Magic Missile you speak of...who can use such spells. I also think we need to defend ourselves against the electricity, and anything else it has to use against us." Veronica perks up and says, "If you know you're—we're—going into battle with a creature that uses lightning, I can help us to resist its power. Erastil has seen fit to give me some small protective and restorative gifts."
"Sorry, I don't really know any of these people," says Veronica apologetically. "Is there a messenger available to carry letters to these other groups? Or is it something we'll need to do ourselves?"
"Thanks," says Veronica to Albert with a pleasant grin. She ruffles Moondancer's coat a bit and the wolf whines, lies down, and puts her paws over her muzzle. "She'll do a lot for treats. I guess that's most folks, though."
Veronica says to Rillka, "Well, I am happy to help out around the town, as I can. This girl," she says, patting Moondancer, "likes to lounge around in the sun and chase bottle-flies, but she is helpful in a pinch when nasty folks come nosing around." "If I can be of service, I am glad to do so."
Veronica follows Rillka to a place where she can purchase a meal and she listens intently to the halfling's descriptions of various businesses and regional history. She replies to Rillka's questions quite openly. "Moondancer's a friend who... I suppose she came to me because we both love the frontier, the forest, the open land. Clean air, rural living, fresh water," she says, perhaps a bit wistfully. "I can, in fact, speak with her. She's very direct, and happy all the time." "It is interesting to hear that there is a temple of Erastil at Elch! Elch? Elk? A homonym, perhaps? I hold Erastil in esteem and do my best to follow his tenets. As should be obvious," she says with a chuckle, since Erastil's holy symbol adorns several of her items. "I grew up on a farm, so I know my way around a field and a furrow. I'm good with all kinds of animals, not just wolves and dogs. I can lead an ox or a horse with a plow, and I can raise chickens, ducks, geese, pheasant." "I'm hoping to maybe find a nice wooded place to build a cabin and... see where life takes me. But I don't think I'm done wandering around yet."
Veronica grans and says, "We both do," as Moondancer whines and licks Rillka's hand, then shoves her nose against the halfling's hand for pets. The huntress stands back up and raises her free hand to give a brief wave to Sir Andreas, then says, "If you don't mind showing me around, I would appreciate the company. What's the story behind the temple at Elch? Is there a shrine here in Sturmulme, or do the locals mostly keep their faiths personal?"
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